oh you like planes? name every one

You’ll find me on the Somme.

It shatters my heart that gay people centuries ago lived and died thinking the life they wanted was nothing but an impossible dream, and I’m perpetually heartbroken that very little record of them exists. And while I think about this A LOT, I never really knew how to express it until I stumbled upon that Sappho quote:

Well I finished it!

Have you ever thought, “I sure wish there was a gay WWI ASMR video with mildly accurate reenactment and a developed plot where I am tended to by a charming medic who hides an angsty monologue”? Good news! I have made exactly that!

You’ve been caught in a shelling! You’re a wounded British 1st Lieutenant in World War One with amnesia who has been sent to a convalescence hospital back in England. An RAMC lad tries to keep you company and care for you while you try to recall your identity...

One thing I love about historical horror games is they have SO much potential to create a one-of-a-kind experience for gamers. Unfortunately, it’s not a component always used to give audiences a scare these days. And among the games which boast a historical setting, not a wide variety exists in the eras covered. One area I see developers skipping over completely is World War One. As if war wasn’t already horrific and terrifying enough, having creepy creatures stalking the trenches of WWI could provide some excellent opportunities to creatively hyperbolise why war is so vile.

So with WWI being the focus of my studies, and horror being a long time favourite genre of mine, I’d like to share with you this strange niche: some exciting upcoming titles where the horrors of WWI meet a whole new kind of terror...

••Under••

Planned Release Date: 31 October, 2020

Looking for something to play by Halloween? UNDER is your game!

The year is 1917. Explore alone deep into the decks of a slowly sinking ocean liner as a WWI soldier, Alexander Dockter, as he tries to find his way out. But be warned: rising waters aren’t the only thing you should be worried about. According to demo footage, a horrible and dangerous experiment has led other things to roam the halls... turns out, you aren’t alone after all. In fact, you’re being pursued. Looks like the past has come back to haunt you in the worst way possible.

I’m assuming based on what evidence I’ve seen in-game that Dockter is most likely a British 1st or 2nd Lieutenant as he’s said to be a “veteran” and the leader of a platoon whose game weapon is a Webley revolver. Atmospheric and sure to give you chills—and most likely some jump scares—Under might just be a great way to spend this full mooned Halloween!

So far, Under looks to be set only for release on PC.

Under Official Trailer:

https://youtu.be/tiQmq49Vqw8

Under Exclusive Trailer:

https://youtu.be/UkUJEBXgl8A

Under on Steam:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1128140/Under/

••Conscript••

Planned Release Date: 2021

I’ll admit I’m fairly new to this one, but still definitely intrigued by it.

CONSCRIPT is a PS2 Resident Evil-esque style survival horror made by a Melbourne based student. And while the other two I mention follow German and (perhaps) British protagonists, our main character here can be found on another part of the Western Front.

A French soldier named Andre navigates a winding labyrinth of trenches hoping to find his missing brother, Pierre, amid the horrific fighting at Verdun. Find letters, a variety of weapons, tools, and items to help you on your journey as you go up against armed foes as well as mustard gas and strange supernatural creatures that lurk in the muddy maze.

From what I can tell, the game doesn’t hold back on some macabre imagery. And like a classic survival horror, you might find yourself frustrated with your inventory, so being choosy is key! Like it’s retro predecessors, this survival horror game has plenty of puzzles to solve in methodical dungeon crawler type maps. Certainly something to look forward to if vintage games, WWI, and horror is an intersection you wish to find in your next game!

Conscript Official Trailer:

https://youtu.be/161aHxPVz1U

Conscript Official Website:

https://www.conscriptgame.com

Conscript’s Kickstarter (where MUCH more is explained about the game):

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/562623591/conscript-ww1-survival-horror

Conscript on Steam:

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1286990/CONSCRIPT/

••Ad Infinitum••

Planned Release Date: TBA

Last but not least, the elusive AD INFINITUM. This one I’m most excited for since I’ve been following the game since it was revealed years ago!

First developed as part of a school project by a small Berlin based group of friends in 2015, Ad Infinitum showcased an incredibly promising survival horror which included a trailer and a few minutes of beta footage. The game quickly picked up a fanbase, was even brought to a gaming convention, and was planned to be released shortly after 2017... until everything went silent for nearly 3 years.

But GOOD NEWS! As of 2019, the game developers have announced Ad Infinitum is once again in full development with completely updated graphics, audio, and historical accuracy—not to mention in-depth gameplay and a changing path based on player choice—to create a unique and immersive horror experience!

Traumatised by his time spent in the trenches of WWI, a German soldier returns home to find his nightmarish memories have taken a terrifying new turn when they send him to a frightening world created by the many gruesome experiences he was subjected to while at the Front.

This psychological survival horror game is set to be released on PC with the potential to appear on console and may also end up supporting VR. But since there is no planned release date, be on the lookout: subscribe to their website newsletter, or follow on Facebook!

Original 2015 Game Trailer:

https://youtu.be/eprVKIH4Xxs

Ad Infinitum Official Website:

http://ad-infinitum-game.de

Ad Infinitum Facebook: